Let's Dive! (Ereri/ Riren)

Secret Practice

"LOOK OUT, EREN!" I snapped my head back around and I quickly reacted, setting the volleyball to my other teammate. "Woah, those are some fast reflexes there."

I smiled. "Thanks!"

There was a loud, high pitched sound of a metal whistle heard and we all stopped the game.

"Alright, class dismissed. Go change!" Coach yelled even though it was completely silent in the gym.

Robotically, everyone turned around and started heading in towards their respected locker rooms while I ran up to Coach Pixis.

"Excuse me?" I asked a little nervous. Coach had a very aggressive aura. He turned his head to stiffly look at me.

"What?" He said coldly.

"Well.... I just had a couple questions about the diving team." I looked down at my shirt where it was bunched up at the hem from my hands playing with it nervously.

"Aren't you the new kid?" He asked, completely disregarding my question. I looked up.

"Yes, sir."

"Well, there's a couple things you should know about our sports program here. 1: you have to go through a sports physical before every school year if you want to participate in a sport and if you already have, then, in your case, you will have to ask a secretary in the office to transfer your record to this school. 2: you have to tryout for every sport you want to participate in." When he finished he put his hands on his hips and leaned to one side.

"So, is it too late to tryout for the team?" I snapped up, eyes widening in hope.

"No. Because you just transferred to this school and we haven't gone to any competitions yet, you can still tryout."

"Oh my gosh! Okay, when?" I relaxed and sighed in relief. Letting out the breath I held.

"Once you've done all of the necessary documentations then you can contact me and we can set up a time after practice for you to tryout."

Once he finished explaining everything to me, like where to get the forms and how to contact him he eventually just told me to get to class because I ask too many questions. I walked out of the gym and changed while I waited for Coach Pixis to write me a note. We had talked for a while and it was already 5 minutes into third period. Once I collected the note that excused my tardiness I hastily walked upstairs to my next class and handed the small yellow piece of paper to my teacher, finding a seat next to Armin.

"Where were you?" Armin whispered like a worried mom.

"I was getting the info for the dive team." I smirked and his eyes lit up.

"Really?" He whisper-yelled, eyes widening.

"Yep." The smirk grew on my face as I noticed the excitement that was in both of us. We almost squealed together. "But that doesn't mean I'm on the team, though." I pointed out and Armin scoffed.

"If you're as good as you say you are, then you'll make it." He smiled and looked back to the front and I began to feel guilty and brag-y.

Am I really as good as I say I am? How do I know? I know I was the star diver at my last school but will I be just as good here? Honestly, I haven't dove in in so long, I might not be as good as I used to be. Maybe I should practice a little bit after the diving practice is over. I nodded my head. Yeah, I think I'll do that.

I started to plan out everything from what exactly I'm going to practice to how I'm going to get into the pool once everyone left. I smiled in contempt with my plan, excited to get back on the diving board. I can't remember the last time I was but I was anxious to feel the cold metal from the lower diving boards and the wet cement from the high dives. My smile widened at the thought and I turned my attention back to the front of the class and decided to devote all of my attention to the teacher... Sort of.

              +++++++++++++++++

The final bell rang and I sprinted out of the classroom to the front door of the school, trying to get home as quickly as I could so I could grab my speedo, a towel, and some swim trunks in case I want to go for a little swim. I also grab my 20 pound ankle weights and dumbbell, throwing them all in a bag before rushing out the door.

Half-way back to the school I decided that I should probably walk a lot slower because I want the students to be gone and practice is 3 hours so I think I'm good on time. Popping in my earbuds, I played my favorite playlist full of Selena Gomez and Ariana Grande as I started eating a granola bar I had picked up from the house. Once it was gone I was at the school and I saw like one or two students so I thought it was probably fine to walk into the pool building.

Inside, by the far left door from the main entrance was always a bin full of dirty towels big enough for a guy to fit in. Even though the thought did cross my mind, no, I am not going to hide in the dirty towel bin, that's disgusting.

I slowly pushed the big metal door on the far left side open, making sure no one heard or saw it. I only cracked it open so I could shove myself through it and hide under the bin. It was about 4:40 so I didn't have that much time left until this old, black, and scratched up bin would be bombarded by a bunch of damp males throwing their soaked towels in.

Those 20 minutes were the SLOWEST 20 minutes I've ever experienced but when they were up and practice was over, I started to worry that they might move the bin and see me or someone would notice but, thankfully, none of that happened.

Once I heard absolutely everyone leave, including Coach Pixis, I got out from beneath the black bin and started to strip down to just my speedo that I had put on under my clothes before I left the house. I started to warm up: 20 high jumps, 15 high knees, one lap around the pool (fast-walking of course) and start over 4 times. I, then strapped ankle weights on and grabbed my dumbells and started doing crunches, rowers and gorillas. I finished my warm up off with a 2 minute plank and then got up, deciding I should start off with some low dives.

I  approached the short, metal ladder up to the flimsy, baby blue metal board. I took a deep breath, knowing that this moment I've been waiting for is finally here and I grinned. I stepped up on to the board, walking to the end. I turned around, planning to do a basic backflip off of the springy board. I did a couple back and front flips until I finally decided I want to do a high dive.

Climbing up the ladder, I felt the cold steel. The dampness of people touching it not too long ago felt great. It reminded me of being on a team at my old school. I was so excited to join this one if I could. When I reached the edge of the white popcorn cement of the high dive, I spun around like I had done with the back flip, preparing to do a pike position dive. I swung my arms back and powered them up as I jumped and snapped my legs up to my head, folding myself in half but quickly straightening out. I straightened my arms and put one hand over the other joining the middle fingers to a point and making it as flat as I could. I tore through the water with very little resistance and splash and felt proud because maybe I shouldn't be as doubtful as I was earlier.

After a couple practice rounds of pike positions I decided to do a pike-double twist combo and I had a little more trouble with that than I thought I would.

Okay, so I have to work on my side abs and back flexibility. I need to straighten quicker when I come out of the twist. I pestered myself and decided that I should probably be done for today.

I hopped out of the pool, drying myself off with my own towel and threw some clothes back on. I walked out of the pool vicinity easily and made the mediocre walk home. I was a little sore from today. That just shows you how long I went without it and it kind of made me sad. Though, at the same time, it made me happy. It made me happy to feel that I was working hard at something I love again. To feel the pain of me being brutal to myself so I can be the best. It was all worth it in the end, right?